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After a long wait, the 2026-27 NBA season tipped off Tuesday night, with a triple-header. These contests included two of Duke's most beloved alumni, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum and Oklahoma City Thunder sharpshooter Jared McCain. Against the Detroit Pistons, Tatum didn't fare too well in his season opener, as the former Blue Devil was held to 13 points on 6-for-23 shooting, including 0-for-7 from downtown. However, the former NBA champion added four rebounds and 11 assists to make it a double-double.

As for McCain, he picked up right where he left off in last year's playoffs. McCain, who continues to prove himself as one of the best bench scorers in the entire NBA, added 20 points off the bench on 7-for-9 shooting including 6-for-8 from 3-point range to go along with two rebounds, two assists and one steal.

Recent second overall pick Maliq Brown was able to make his NBA debut with the San Antonio Spurs. That said, the former ACC Defensive Player of the Year Award winner didn't record a single stat, playing for just one minute.

Now with the NBA back in full swing, many more Duke notables will take the court Wednesday, including Cameron Boozer, Cooper Flagg, Zion Williamson, Paolo Banchero and Jalen Johnson. Charlotte Hornets forward Kon Knueppel will not play, as he remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Contact/Follow us @DukeWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Duke news, notes and opinions.Follow Mack on X: @MackBaltes

This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Jared McCain leads Duke alumni on NBA opening night

Could the Buffalo Bills actually address the receiver position before the NFL trade deadline?

Right now it very much feels more likely that if a trade occurs, it’ll be for a defensive player, but you never know.

Today, let’s highlight Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr., a young, naturally very gifted wideout who’s fallen on hard times and out of favor in Jacksonville’s passing game after a tremendous start to his professional career.

This article is the second in the trade-candidate series I plan to sprinkle onto the site until the actual trade deadline until November 10, which is 20 days from now, and lands after Week 9.

Past installments in this series:

Derwin James

Age: 24

At this stage, any and almost all of the BTJ intrigue directly stems from his rookie season in 2024, when he caught 87 passes for 1,282 yards with 10 touchdowns. That year, he had a gaudy 2.45 yards-per-route-run figure and a drop rate of just 6.5%.

Last season, Thomas had a YPRR of 1.45, and his drop rate jumped to 13.5% on 90 targets. Through six games in 2026, his YPRR is a pedestrian 0.95, and his drop rate is 25.0%.

2026 snap splits

Wide: 71.6%
Slot: 28.4%

Regarding his snaps, BTJ has appeared on 43.1% of the Jaguars offensive snaps this season. He’s fourth on the team in targets. A season ago, he was on the field for 63.4% of the offensive snaps. As a rookie, Thomas’ snap rate was 79.4%.

How he’d fit with Bills

At just under 6’3” and 209 pounds with 4.33 speed, Thomas boasts prototypical size and speed to serve as a vertical-threat X on the outside in the Bills offense.

That spot is currently held by DJ Moore.

However, even if he’s built to be the downfield burner X he demonstrated he could be in 2024, resorting to the off-the-line Z wideout — the other outside receiver — would be most sensible for Thomas if the Bills were to trade for him. Yes, Keon Coleman has appeared at Z in some instances this season and has had reasonable success there.

But the Z is the role Josh Palmer has most predominantly played. It’s the wideout whose main responsibility is to take the lid of the defense to free underneath space and occasionally make a big play down the field.

Thomas can absolutely do that.

This move would likely (see: almost assuredly?) be subbing Thomas into Palmer’s spot on the field and the roster.

Financial obligation for Bills to trade for him

2026 salary: $1.07M

If the Bills trade for Thomas after Week 9, they’d be on the hook for $537k in prorated base salary. His 2027 salary is $2.79M. As a former first-round pick, he’d be eligible for the fifth-year option after that, in 2028.

The time remaining on his rookie deal remains the pillar of BTJ’s trade value. He’s incredibly cheap on the books now and in coming years.

Projected cost to acquire

Using Syndicate32.com’s trade machine, given Thomas’ clear downward spiral in productivity, the projected cost to trade for the receiver is a late Round 2 pick in 2027.

That feels ever-so-slightly high simply because Thomas is now well into his second season as a woefully ineffective receiver and he’s clearly not a big part of Jacksonville’s offensive plans. While that rookie year is a distant memory in the NFL world, it still exists, and his age and contract situation may very well support the Jaguars asking for an early Day 2 selection for the receiver.

Should the Bills trade for Brian Thomas Jr.?

For as much of a fan as I was of Thomas as a draft prospect, I don’t think at this date and time I could strongly advocate the Bills sending a second-round pick for him. If Coleman’s mini-emergence wasn’t ongoing, that would be a different story.

I absolutely believe he’s in dire need of a change of scenery, especially considering the GM and coach who drafted him in Jacksonville are long gone.

Then there’s the LSU connection. I can’t ignore that here.

While Joe Brady of course didn’t coach BTJ in Baton Rouge, it wouldn’t be crazy to assume the Bills head coach still has some LSU-based connections who could provide intel on what makes Thomas tick and how to get the best out of him in a new locale.

For as much as I’m always on the WR Train, I have accepted that the Bills need to trade for defensive help before anyone on offense.

BUT, Thomas is a youthful, cost-controlled tantalizing talent playing what I believe is the the game’s second-most important position, a spot that directly impacts Josh Allen.

If Thomas can be acquired for a third-round pick, along with a late-round throw-in, I think the Bills should seriously consider making that move.

What are your thoughts on BTJ?

Source: Juan Alejandro Bernal R/Depositphotos monticello/Depositphotos ESPN Football Power Index reshuffles top 25

ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) rankings changed significantly after Week 7 of the 2026 college football season, which concluded on October 17. Ohio State moved to No. 1, while several leading programs lost important games and faced revised evaluations.

The updated FPI placed Notre Dame at No. 2, Georgia at No. 3 and Miami at No. 4. The rankings reflected a weekend featuring losses by Georgia, Notre Dame, Indiana, Alabama and Texas, five programs that entered Saturday among the nation’s top seven teams.

actionsports/Depositphotos Ohio State takes the top FPI position

Ohio State climbed 2 places to No. 1 in ESPN’s updated Football Power Index after defeating Indiana 19-15 on October 17. The Buckeyes secured the victory against a previously unbeaten opponent in Bloomington, Indiana.

The result ended Indiana’s 22-game winning streak. Ohio State’s narrow victory also demonstrated why the FPI and traditional polls can produce different evaluations, since ESPN’s system estimates future team strength rather than simply rewarding current win-loss records.

Soule' Photography/Shutterstock.com Notre Dame remains No. 2 despite losing

Notre Dame held the No. 2 position in ESPN’s updated FPI after losing 28-24 to BYU on October 17. The Fighting Irish entered the weekend unbeaten before falling in a closely contested game in Provo, Utah.

BYU entered the matchup ranked No. 8 in the AP Top 25, making the result a significant victory over a highly rated opponent. Notre Dame’s position at No. 2 in the FPI showed that one defeat did not immediately erase the system’s assessment of the team’s overall strength.

actionsports/Depositphotos Georgia falls after losing to Auburn

Georgia dropped to No. 3 in ESPN’s updated FPI following a 27-24 defeat against Auburn on October 17. The Bulldogs entered Week 7 as the nation’s No. 1 team in the AP poll, but their loss gave the rankings a different look.

Quarterback Gunner Stockton completed 22 of 34 passes for 272 yards and 2 touchdowns against Auburn. However, Stockton also threw 2 interceptions and lost a fumble, mistakes that proved costly in the three-point defeat.

thenews2.com/Depositphotos Miami holds No. 4 after Florida State win

Miami remained among ESPN’s highest-rated teams after defeating Florida State 43-35 in double overtime on October 17. The Hurricanes entered the game ranked No. 3 in the AP poll and continued their unbeaten start with an important conference victory.

Miami’s position at No. 4 in the updated FPI differed from its No. 1 ranking in the AP Top 25. That contrast highlights an important distinction for college football fans because predictive computer rankings and voter-based polls use different approaches to assess teams.

Fun fact: For the first time in AP Top 25 history, no team retained its previous ranking after Week 7 of the 2026 college football season.

Ringo Chiu/Shutterstock.com Indiana drops after losing to Ohio State

Indiana fell to No. 5 in ESPN’s updated FPI after Ohio State handed the Hoosiers a 19-15 defeat. Indiana entered the weekend ranked No. 5 in the AP poll and had won 22 consecutive games before the loss.

Wide receiver Charlie Becker recorded 9 receptions for 165 yards against Ohio State. Despite his production, Indiana could not secure the victory, and the result ended one of the country’s longest active winning streaks at the time.

Jamie Lamor Thompson/Shutterstock.com Alabama stays No. 6 after another defeat

Alabama occupied No. 6 in ESPN’s updated FPI after losing 26-10 to Tennessee on October 17. The Crimson Tide entered the game ranked No. 6 in the AP poll, but the defeat marked their second consecutive loss following an earlier setback against Georgia.

Tennessee’s victory ended a seven-game losing streak against ranked opponents. The Volunteers controlled the matchup well enough to limit Alabama’s scoring, handing the Crimson Tide another setback as the Southeastern Conference race continued to develop.

EyepixGroup/Depositphotos Texas remains No. 7 after Florida upset

Texas stayed at No. 7 in ESPN’s updated FPI despite losing 27-24 to Florida in Austin on October 17. The Longhorns entered the game ranked No. 7 in the AP poll and suffered another setback after losing to Oklahoma during Week 6.

Florida entered the matchup unranked after suffering consecutive heavy defeats, making the victory an important turnaround for the Gators. Texas surrendered a 14-point home lead, its largest such blown lead against an unranked opponent since 1965.

mfmegevand/Depositphotos LSU climbs into the FPI top 10

LSU ranked No. 8 in ESPN’s updated Football Power Index following a dominant 31-0 victory over Mississippi State on October 17. The Tigers entered the game ranked No. 22 in the AP poll and delivered a shutout that strengthened their position after a turbulent weekend.

Mississippi State entered the matchup ranked No. 16, creating an opportunity for LSU to record a valuable win against a ranked conference opponent. The result also showed how Week 7 offered teams outside the highest positions a chance to improve their standing through decisive performances.

Juan Alejandro Bernal R/Depositphotos Texas Tech holds No. 9 in ESPN’s FPI

Texas Tech occupied No. 9 in ESPN’s updated FPI after Week 7. The Red Raiders were among the six unbeaten Football Bowl Subdivision teams identified during the October 18 recap, keeping the program firmly in the national conversation.

Texas Tech’s unbeaten record contrasted with the setbacks suffered by several established contenders during the same weekend. The distinction matters because the FPI measures projected team strength, while an unbeaten record describes results already achieved on the field.

Ringo Chiu/Shutterstock.com Oregon rounds out ESPN’s top 10

Oregon ranked No. 10 in ESPN’s updated FPI after Week 7. The Ducks remained inside the top 10 even as several other prominent programs experienced losses during the weekend’s college football schedule.

Ole Miss ranked No. 11 in the published FPI rankings, just outside Oregon’s position. Ole Miss defeated Missouri 31-3 on October 17, giving the Rebels a convincing conference win as the national rankings adjusted to the weekend’s results.

bennyx83/Depositphotos Tennessee rises after beating Alabama

Tennessee ranked No. 12 in ESPN’s updated FPI after defeating Alabama 26-10. The Volunteers entered the game ranked No. 14 in the AP poll and secured one of the weekend’s most significant victories by beating a conference rival that had started the season with high expectations.

The victory was especially meaningful because Tennessee had lost its previous seven games against ranked opponents. The Volunteers held Alabama to 10 points, delivering a notable result as the Southeastern Conference standings and national rankings continued to shift.

Week 7 brought plenty of surprises on the field, but the action wasn’t limited to the players. Check out College football game draws attention after band member fights fan

Mark Fann/Shutterstock.com Houston enters ESPN’s top 20

Houston appeared at No. 18 in ESPN’s updated FPI after defeating Oklahoma State 35-32 on October 17. The Cougars secured a three-point victory in a competitive game, adding another important result to a weekend that produced substantial movement throughout the national rankings.

The FPI also ranked Florida No. 19 after the Gators defeated Texas 27-24, while Texas A&M ranked No. 20. These positions reflected the contrasting results of the weekend, although the FPI remained a predictive measure of team strength rather than a direct record of wins and losses.

ESPN’s college football rankings have sparked plenty of discussion, but another decision has fans talking. Find out why ESPN faces fan backlash over a controversial College GameDay decision.

Which team surprised you most in the Week 7 rankings? Like this post and share your thoughts in the comments!

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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College football midseason report: Best coach, worst moment and what to watch in the second half originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

College football is the best.

For all the talk about the future of the sport, from NIL to the transfer portal to the specter of the 24-team College Football Playoff, there are a lot of gripes off the field. The first half of the season was wild, including Week 7 when five of the top-10 teams lost. 

Who is the best team in the country? That answer remains unclear – even if No. 1 Miami is the third different team on the top of the AP Top 25 in as many weeks. Who is the best player? We're pretty sure we know the answer there – but a key injury could shape how we feel in the second half of the season. Who are the best coaches? Biggest disappointments? What can we look forward to in the second half of the season, which promises to turn us upside down for six more weeks before conference championship weekend? 

Here are our midseason grades for the 2026 college football season.

MORE: SN's Midseason All-America team

College football midseason report Best player: Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State 

Smith has 52 catches for 984 yards and 12 TDs for No. 3 Ohio State and he's lived up to the label as the best player in college football. In three games against ranked teams, Smith has 23 catches for 438 yards, an average of 19.0 yards per catch, and four TDs. It's a taken-for-granted highlight package each week because Smith makes it look so easy.

HOW JEREMIAH SMITH?! https://t.co/eF3qGIFC2a

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) October 10, 2026

It will be more difficult without quarterback Julian Sayin, but Smith will make the plays necessary to push the Buckeyes to the CFP with backup quarterback Luke Fahey. 

Honorable mention: Darian Mensah, Miami; Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss  

Best team: Miami  

The Hurricanes lead the FBS with an offense that averages 48.5 points per game under coach Mario Cristobal, and Darian Mensah leads the FBS with a 204.2 passer rating. Malachi Toney, who has 50 catches for 758 yards and eight TDs, continues to dominate, and the defense ranks seventh in the FBS at 14.0 points per game. The only other team in the FBS that has a top-10 scoring offense and scoring defense is Notre Dame. 

Honorable mention: BYU

MORE: College Football Playoff forecast entering Week 8

Best Group of 6 team: Boise State   

No. 21 Boise State could easily make the College Football Playoff in their first season in the Pac-12. Maddux Madsen and Dylan Riley have been a dynamic combination in the backfield, and the 34-27 loss in the season opener to Oregon does not hurt. Of course, James Madison is 7-0 under first-year coach Billy Napier in the Sun Belt and there are contenders in the Mountain West Conference, where the Broncos left before this season. 

Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Best coach: Bob Chesney, UCLA 

Chesney, 49, lifted UCLA to No. 9 in the AP Poll with a 6-0 start that included a 17-15 win as a double-digit underdog at Oregon on Oct. 10. The Bruins average 231 rushing yards per game behind do-everything running back Wayne Knight, and the defense is not getting enough attention. Linebacker Sam Omosigho leads the Big Ten with 32 solo tackles, and safety Tai'Shawn James has four interceptions. Chesney had the second-best pregame speech behind Kirby Smart of the first half of the season. 

Honorable mention: Will Stein, Kentucky 

Best game: No. 7 Ole Miss 32, No. 8 LSU 24 (Sept. 19) 

"Saturday Night Football" produced some fantastic games – but none had more drama than LSU coach Lane Kiffin's return to Oxford, Miss., on Sept. 19. For all the hype, the game delivered around Trinidad Chambliss, who had 363 passing yards and led the game-winning 14-yard TD run with 6:14 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Rebels had a goal-line stand, and Abby Miller – a 20 year old junior at Ole Miss – snapped the most iconic picture of the season.  

Honorable mention: No. 4 Texas 24, No. 1 Ohio State 23 (Sept. 12), No. 2 Georgia 20, No. 6 Alabama 17 (Oct. 11), No. 8 BYU 28, No. 2 Notre Dame 24 (Oct. 18), No. 4 Ohio State 19, No. 5 Indiana 15 (Oct. 18)

Best conference: Big 12 

This is going to be a take. The SEC remains the best top-to-bottom conference, and the non-conference matchups against Power 4 teams backs that up: 

Non-conference records against Power 4 teams SEC 10-2 Big 12 6-7 ACC 6-11 Big Ten 4-10 Mountain West 1-8 American 1-11 MAC 1-17 CUSA 0-9 Pac-12 0-12 Sun Belt 0-15

— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) October 18, 2026

But the Big 12 had the best first half of the season from a perception standpoint. No. 2 BYU (6-0), No. 8 Texas Tech (6-0) and No. 10 Utah (6-0) give the conference three unbeaten teams, the most of any Power 4 conference. No. 14 Houston (6-1) and No. 25 Arizona (5-1) add depth. The Big 12 has as many teams with one less as the SEC – and is one behind the Big Ten. The Red Raiders do not play BYU or Utah. All this means the conference is in position to land multiple College Football Playoff teams, and that might come at the expense of a SEC contender. 

Power 4 teams (one loss or less) 

CONFERENCENUMBERTEAMSBig Ten6UCLA (6-0), Ohio State (6-1), Indiana (6-1), USC (6-1), Iowa (5-1), Northwestern (5-1)Big 125BYU (6-0), Texas Tech (6-0), Utah (6-0), Houston (6-1), Arizona (5-1)SEC4Georgia (6-1), Kentucky (6-1), Tennessee (6-1), Ole Miss (5-1)ACC3Miami (6-0), Wake Forest (6-1), SMU (5-1)Best bounce-back player: Gio Lopez, QB, Wake Forest 

Lopez struggled at North Carolina last season, but he is on a heater with No. 17 Wake Forest and coach Jake Dickert this season. Lopez is seventh in the FBS in total offense with 314.3 total yards per game, and he's done that with 23 total TDs and one interception. According to PFF.com, Lopez is 30 of 39 (76.9%) for 493 yards, six TDs and no interception in the intermediate (10-19 yards). Mensah is the only QB doing it better in that range.  It's too bad the Demon Deacons (6-1) do not have Tar Heels on the schedule. 

Honorable mention: Josh Hoover, QB, Indiana

Best bounce-back coach: Bill Belichick, North Carolina 

Hey, we tried to fire Belichick before the Aer Lingus College Football Classic against TCU. The Tar Heels are 4-2, and their losses to Clemson and No. 4 Notre Dame were by an average of 9.5 points. The Tar Heels have just 202 penalty yards, which ranks second for the fewest in the FBS. 

North Carolina is 3-1 in one-score games, Xavier Lewis has been dominant on defense with seven sacks, and the offense is functional around Billy Edwards Jr. The schedule presents an opportunity for at least eight wins – and the Halloween matchup against Miami has meaning. 

Honorable mention: Josh Heupel, Tennessee 

Best call: Will Stein goes for two (twice) 

First-year coach Will Stein opted to go for two in overtime in back-to-back weeks, and those calls have shape-shifted No. 12 Kentucky into the best first-half story in the SEC. A two-point pass from Kenny Minchey to Willie Rodriguez clinched a 35-34 victory against South Carolina on Oct. 3. Minchey's QB draw the following week gave the Wildcats a stunning 35-34 victory against No. 10 LSU at Kroger Field. Both calls were wide open, and the Wildcats are 6-1 as a result. 

Honorable mention:Iowa's last-second TD against Michigan 

Best viral video: 'Outstanding' 

The AI mash-up of the losing top-10 coaches from Week 7 playing "Outstanding" by The Gap Band is just that. How would you rank these coaches' performance? We'll go Marcus Freeman, Kalen DeBoer, Curt Cignetti, Kirby Smart and Steve Sarkisian.

When AI is used properly lmfaooooooo https://t.co/bNfED3OTq4

— Get 'Em Eazy! (@ChampIAN_33) October 19, 2026Most disappointing team: Texas A&M 

Texas A&M was 11-2 and lost 10-3 in a home College Football Playoff game against Miami last season. The Aggies are 4-3, including a 1-3 record in SEC play, heading into the second half of the season. Coach Mike Elko lashed out at "Billy's cesspool" after a 27-6 loss against Missouri on Oct. 10. 

Texas A&M opened the season at No. 8 in the AP Preseason Poll – so the disappointment is obvious. Marcel Reed – who has 1,227 yards, seven TDs and six interceptions – owns a 55.7% completion percentage. The Aggies did lose 10 players to the 2026 NFL Draft, so that's part of it. But it shouldn't be this bad, and the second-half of the schedule is not easy.

Dishonorable mention: Oregon, Texas, Penn State 

Most disappointing call: Foul behavior 

What is the worst penalty of the first half of the season?

A. Michigan cornerback Zeke Berry, who shoved Tony Diaz after a third-and-10 incompletion, which set up Iowa's miracle finish in a 20-19 loss on Sept. 26. 

B. USC linebacker Desman Stephens II, whose dirty hit that knocked out Oregon quarterback Dante Moore defined a 41-27 loss. 

C. Alabama cornerback Dijon Lee Jr., who received a personal foul after taking a swing at Georgia freshman receiver Craig Dandridge late in the fourth quarter of the Crimson Tide's 20-17 loss to Georgia on Oct. 10.

D. Georgia edge rusher Gabe Harris Jr., who had a roughing-the-passer penalty on Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown, which helped set up the game-winning field goal on the final drive in a 27-24 upset on Oct. 17. 

E. Texas All-American defensive end Colin Simmons getting flagged for 'unsportsmanlike conduct for simulating using the restroom' against Tennessee.

F. All of the above.

Imagn Images

Most disappointing moment: One second 

It happened twice in prime-time games. Michigan beat Western Michigan 13-12 on Sept. 5 when officials put one second back on the clock after everybody saw zero. Bryce Underwood threw a 47-yard Hail Mary to JJ Buchanan and hell followed afterward. The MAC appealed the decision. 

So, of course it happened again during BYU's 28-24 victory against Notre Dame on Oct. 17. It appeared one second should have been left on the clock, not to mention that there appeared to be a missed pass interference call on the final play from scrimmage. The reaction was less powerful because Notre Dame did not benefit from the screw-ups – but the point stands. 

Put LED lights on the goalpost or tenths or hundredths of a second on the scoreboard. It's 2026. We should be able to tell when the clock hits zero.

Second-half player to watch: Big Ten backup QBs  

Backup QBs will write the story in the Big Ten in the second half of the season, starting with Fahey and perhaps Tavien St. Clair at Ohio State. They were in a competition to be the backup behind Sayin in fall camp. It's a tough first assignment at No. 16 USC on Oct. 31 for the Buckeyes' quarterbacks. 

That is not all. UCLA is unbeaten with Ty Dieffenbach, who will lead the Bruins with Nico Iamaleava out for the season. Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski have made starts for No. 15 Iowa. How much longer will Dylan Raiola and Brock Thomas hold down the position for the Ducks until Dante Moore returns? Will Michigan get a spark from Tommy Carr – who replaced five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood last week?

The Big Ten quarterback shuffle is intriguing, to say the least. 

Second-half team to watch: Texas Tech 

Remember when the Red Raiders were the villains of the offseason during the Brendan Sorsby drama? Texas Tech is quietly undefeated with quarterback Will Hammond, the defense remains formidable around defensive tackle A.J. Holmes Jr. and linebacker Ben Roberts and Texas Tech will not play BYU or Utah in the regular season. That means the Red Raiders have a decent chance at being 12-0 with another berth in the Big 12 championship game. The Halloween matchup with Arizona should be fun. 

Second-half Group of 6 team to watch: New Mexico 

It starts Saturday with the matchup against North Dakota State. The winner of that game could challenge for a playoff spot. Lobos coach Jason Eck will be on the radar for Power 4 programs in the next coaching carousel. New Mexico leads the FBS with a plus-17 turnover margin, but the belt is only allowed to come out when the Lobos are winning. 

WOW: New Mexico HC Jason Eck was furious with his players for celebrating a turnover while losing to Hawaii. Eck walked over and took the turnover belt away from his players, clearly upset that they were celebrating despite trailing in the fourth quarter. https://t.co/9SoMBs4jJC

— MLFootball (@MLFootball) October 18, 2026Second-half coach to watch: Steve Sarkisian, Texas  

No. 19 Texas is one of five programs with at least 25 players that have been selected in the NFL Draft from 2024-26. The Longhorns are tied with Ohio State and Georgia for first with 29 players in that stretch – and another huge class is coming in 2027. 

Most NFL Draft picks (2024-26) 

SCHOOLDRAFT PICKS Georgia29Ohio State29Texas29Alabama27Oregon25

Imagine if Texas loses three or four games and misses the playoff for the second straight season. Arch Manning will take criticism, but he has outs via the transfer portal or the NFL Draft. Sarkisian does not have the same latitude. Texas is recruiting and developing players at an elite level, and the Longhorns did make the CFP semifinals in 2023 and 2024. Still, this group was supposed to do more. Saturday's matchup against Ole Miss is a defining moment.

Second-half best game: Miami at Notre Dame 

No. 4 Notre Dame suffered its first loss to BYU, so it took a little shine off this matchup. It is a rematch of last year's 27-24 opening weekend classic that had head-to-head playoff implications later. Will that be the case again? The Irish have won the last three meetings in South Bend – a streak that began with the "Catholics vs. Convicts" matchup in 1988. Notre Dame would be in a precarious playoff position again with a home loss to the Hurricanes.

Second-half debate: How many SEC playoff teams? 

When projecting out the remainder of the SEC schedule, we have eight teams with postseason hopes. Sorting all this out is going to be the highest point of contention heading into the final stages of the College Football Playoff race. Here is our guess what the final records look like at the end of the regular season: 

Projected final SEC standings 

SCHOOLRECORDGeorgia11-1, 8-1LSU10-2, 7-2Tennessee10-2, 7-2Ole Miss9-3, 6-3Florida 9-3, 6-3Texas9-3, 6-3Alabama9-3, 6-3Kentucky9-3, 6-3

Will that play out that way? Probably not. If the SEC wants to get four teams in the playoff, then chances are one or two of those teams will have three losses. Get ready for a November of this conference trumpeting the high degree of difficulty of the nine-game SEC schedule.

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni is about to face the toughest challenge of his career over the next 12 weeks — and he might not survive it.

It’s going to be tougher than the first half of the 2021 season, when people wanted him fired in his first year as head coach and tougher than the situation in 2023, when the team considered firing him after the Eagles collapsed down the stretch.

It’s certainly going to be tougher than the first four games of the 2024 season, when he landed on the hot seat after his team started slowly.

Sirianni has been through tough times as the Eagles head coach, but what’s happened over the last month beats anything from the past.

On Monday, NFL insiders revealed that Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 season because of a blood clot.

Two weeks ago, Hall of Fame-caliber right tackle Lane Johnson retired, and the Eagles traded left guard Cam Jurgens to the Ravens.

Now, the Eagles have one of the NFL’s worst offensive lines blocking for Tanner McKee, who is a below-average starting quarterback.

Running back Saquon Barkley has missed the last two weeks with a hamstring injury, and other key playmakers have also missed time due to injuries. Philadelphia’s defense is also struggling to stay healthy.

The Eagles lost their fourth consecutive game Sunday, falling to 2-4.

Sirianni entered the year on the hot seat radar after a disappointing 2025 season and he needed to turn things around this season to ease the pressure. Now, given the circumstances, Sirianni faces an uphill battle to remain the Eagles’ head coach after the 2026 season.

“Obviously, we are in a rut right now,” Sirianni told reporters on Monday about the offensive struggles. “I don’t think there’s any question [about] that. We’re in a rut. This is why you work in the offseason to come together, because every team is going to go through ups and downs here and it’s important to have that relationship and build those relationships so when you go through down times, it doesn’t tear you apart.”

Here are three reasons why Sirianni could struggle to stay off the hot seat: McKee is bad, and Joe Milton is even worse

Simply put, the Eagles have a nightmare situation at quarterback.

Coming off a bad summer, McKee struggled in his first start of the season against the Panthers,. He completed 25 of 46 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown. He struggled to throw a tight spiral outside the numbers, and too many of his passes fluttered. He didn’t move well in the pocket and was easy to sack.

McKee is the Eagles’ best option at quarterback. On Friday, the Eagles signed former Cowboys quarterback Joe Milton from Dallas’ practice squad. He’s not a viable starter. Milton has a strong arm, but his inconsistent accuracy and other issues have prevented him from becoming a reliable backup or starter in the NFL.

Eagles +5 point spread is listed at -111 on ProphetX for Monday night’s divisional showdown versus Dallas. Also, check out our extensive guide to the best sportsbook promos to shop for competitive odds.

Fifth-round rookie quarterback Cole Payton is not ready to play.

The Eagles’ offense was bad with Hurts, who is a competent NFL starter, during the first five weeks of the season. The offensive problems extend beyond the quarterback, but now that the quarterback play is below average, things will become even worse.

New offensive coordinator Sean Mannion is struggling, and the offense ranks terribly

Mannion’s offense has been a disaster through the first six weeks, ranking 28th among 32 teams in EPA per play (-0.111) and 31st in offensive success rate (36.6%), according to the advanced-metrics website RBSDM Stats.

Mannion wanted to build his scheme around the under-center play-action game, but it has failed.

The Eagles had five under-center dropbacks against the Panthers, and all five were play-action passes. On those attempts, the Eagles finished with zero completions and two sacks for a loss of 17 yards, according to SumerSports.

The Eagles rank 26th in passing, 29th in rushing and 30th in yards per game. Philadelphia’s offense is unlikely to get much better this season because it has serious talent issues and a poor scheme.

Sirianni took a massive gamble by hiring Mannion, a first-time play caller with only three years of NFL coaching experience, over more experienced offensive coordinator candidates. Through six weeks, it does not look like a good hire.

Sirianni doesn’t call his own plays, and he has struggled to build good offensive schemes. He has had great success as a CEO-style head coach, but his limitations as an offensive coach make him a liability.

“Have a high confidence level in everybody in this building,” Sirianni said on Monday. “Sean, that’s why I hired him, the position coaches, the players. Right now, we’re in a rough spot as we know. It is about controlling the things that you can control in this moment and figuring out what the next steps are. I think we’ve got to find out what the things are that we have to get better at and what we have to do well or what we do well. That’s what these next two days are for, and we get an extra day here on this end, but my confidence level in our guys is high.”

Philadelphia’s offensive line has major issues

MORE BY CAYDEN STEELE

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Philadelphia’s new starting five up front is young and inexperienced. Right tackle Markel Bell, left guard Willie Lampkin and center Drew Kendall could make improvements throughout the season and develop into long-term starters beyond this year.

However, as with any young group, there will be growing pains.

For the first time in many years, the Eagles have a weak offensive line. Landon Dickerson’s return could help raise the floor of the unit, but it won’t fix everything.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Rose confirms Bournemouth star returns to training

Marco Rose confirmed that striker Eli Junior Kroupi is back training with the first-team squad after injuring his foot in pre-season.

The 20-year-old scored 13 Premier League goals last campaign but is yet to appear this season, although he could feature against Manchester United on Sunday.

Speaking ahead of Bournemouth’s Europa League tie against AC Milan, Rose also gave an update on midfielder Alex Scott, who sustained an injury while impressing on international duty with England.

When asked about the possibility of Scott re-joining first-team training, Rose said: “We needed to see how he would respond to the load. The response wasn’t perfect on the first day, but it has been much better following that.

“We will now look to step up his training plan, but he won’t be available for the next two weeks.”

Bournemouth welcome the 19-time Italian champions to the Vitality Stadium on Thursday night in a clash few would have expected 15 years ago when the Cherries finished mid-table in League One.

Speaking ahead of the game, Rose said: “It is a huge game and we are looking forward to it, but the club has played a much bigger game before.

“Many years ago, after the points deduction, they needed to win their last game at home [against Grimsby] and Steve Fletcher scored the winning goal. That’s the foundation of why we are here now, playing these kinds of games.

“If we’re able to clarify our situation in this competition, it will make things easier going forward. We have many games before the international break so, for that reason, we should grab everything that we can. We will be going full in on Thursday.”

Bournemouth picked up their first win of the Premier League season on Sunday, defeating Sunderland 2-0.

Rose said: “We feel we’re in a good spot. We have created a good momentum for ourselves now and we should use that to our advantage.”

Manchester United's UEFA Champions League game against Como is in question -Credit:Mattia Ozbot - UEFA, UEFA via Getty Images

Manchester United's UEFA Champions League match against Como is at risk of being called off as heavy rainfall batters the Italian region.

The Red Devils have made the trip to mainland Europe for their third Champions League outing of the season, but serious doubts have now emerged over whether the match will go ahead.

Lombardy, the region where Como is situated, has been placed under an orange weather warning for rain. This indicates a severe alert for hazardous conditions and calls for heightened vigilance. As anticipated, the rain arrived on Tuesday and has persisted into Wednesday, leaving the pitch saturated and the conditions treacherous.

• Erik ten Hag 'embarrassed' by Scott McTominay transfer as ex-Man United manager slams club bosses
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-Credit:Mattia Ozbot - UEFA, UEFA via Getty Images

PA reported that 64mm of rainfall is forecast before kick-off at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, with only one of their four stands covered — leaving supporters bracing themselves for a sodden evening. Despite the additional threat of lightning, Como remain confident the pitch will hold up and that postponement can be avoided.

United have claimed one win and suffered one defeat in their opening two Champions League matches, and under-pressure boss Michael Carrick dismissed any concerns over the weather conditions ahead of the game. "No, nothing immediate from me, we're used to the rain," he said, via The Mirror. "We'll make the most of it!"

The Manchester club has secured just two victories all season and faces a Como side on an upward trajectory, managed by former Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas. Their roster includes ex-United defender Willy Kambwala.

Carrick's squad trained on Tuesday with six players absent, potentially significantly affecting team selection. Ayden Heaven, Kobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford, Lisandro Martínez, Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu were missing from the session.

To listen to the latest episode of 'All Out Soccer' - CLICK HERE

The United manager also emphasized that, despite overseeing the club's poorest campaign start in four decades, he feels supported by the hierarchy.

"I don't need any reassurance. It's pretty clear. I know the role, I know my responsibilities, I don't need anyone to tell me when it's going well or when it needs to be better," he said.

"I know the realities and have no problem with that. I know we got to win football games for everything to flow and fit into place. I feel backed, yeah, why wouldn't I? I have a really good relationship with everyone at the football club. There are no issues on that side."

CINCINNATI — While the Cincinnati Bengals try to find consistency coming out of the Week 6 bye, they at least know they can count on that from kicker Evan McPherson.

McPherson broke the franchise record for most consecutive field goals when he made his 22nd straight attempt in a win at Miami on Sunday, Oct. 11, and he looks to keep building on that if given the opportunity in a big game at Baltimore (4-2) this Sunday.

His streak, which dates back to Week 11 of the 2025 season, broke Shayne Graham’s record of 21 consecutive field goals in 2007.

“It's about just never growing complacent,” McPherson said. “I feel like it's a big thing for me, just understanding that every day I come in, I'm still doing my same routine. It's like even though I've made whatever it is in a row, like that doesn't change my process and what I do. And I feel like in the years past, maybe I would have grown a little relaxed and this and that. But now I feel like if I can stay on top of my routine and keep every week fresh and new and not think about a streak or makes and misses, it definitely helps a lot keeping the mind clear and calm.”

“Money Mac” got back on track last year after he had struggled with some changes to his routine following his rookie 2021 season in an effort to get more power behind his kicks. He made 25 of 28 field goals in 2025, and all three misses were from 50 yards or more.

Now, McPherson has been even more clutch with five field goals of 50 yards or more among his 10 makes this season, including a long of 58 yards. He’s also been perfect on PATs.

“I feel like for me, it's just going out there and having fun, just letting loose,” McPherson said. “I feel like my first like four years I was a little tight, and so I feel like the main thing that I've learned these past couple years is just go out there and enjoy it. Just have fun with the game, with the moment, and usually the outcome will be good.”

McPherson has also tried to pass that knowledge on to his younger brother, Alex, who kicked a game-winner for Auburn on Saturday to beat Georgia on the road for the first time since 2005. Alex had to overcome health issues with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, which led to his colon being removed in 2024, but he’s been clutch for the Tigers like his older brother.

Cincinnati Bengals: ‘Tremendous opportunity’ awaits with AFC North matchup at Baltimore

Watching Alex fight through his own adversity has been a good reminder to Evan of the importance of enjoying the moment, he said.

“I think it's really special, just from what he's gone through and the recovery that he's made,” McPherson said. “It's like you can't write it up better than that. He just kept trusting in God's plan for his life and trusting in those around him. … I’m really just super proud of him.”

McPherson knows his own streak will eventually end, but said it’s just about how he responds to a miss. Being in a good place mentally is a big part of his success.

He also credited holder Ryan Rehkow and long snapper Will Wagner for the work they put in to make things easier on him. This is their second season operating together, and that consistency has helped McPherson as well.

Bengals coach Zac Taylor said it’s clear McPherson is kicking with “a lot of confidence,” but the team has confidence in him, too, which has led to so many 50-plus yard attempts.

“A lot of teams would either have to go for it in those situations or maybe punt,” Taylor said. “We have the luxury of knowing that he can knock down a lot of those long ones. So, we've asked him to do it a lot, and he's just consistently done it 22 times in a row. I can't kick an extra point, so I can't really put myself in his shoes of how difficult it is, but just the consistency, his mental toughness, because he does it in practice too. That's the thing. He did it all training camp. He does it in practice. And then he goes out there in games, and they're all in different environments and different pressure situations and he just does a great job.”

McPherson said he appreciates the trust in him to make those long attempts, dating back to his career-long 63-yarder last year. He would love that opportunity Sunday if it’s the best way to get some points on the board for his team.

The Bengals have a chance to move up the log-jammed AFC North standings with a win, and McPherson said he’s ready to do his part. He made all six of his attempts in a win at Baltimore last year.

“It's been great because I feel like if you have an opportunity to long kick, and maybe your coach doesn't send you out there for it, but you believe you can make it, I feel like yeah, for any kicker, that definitely will put some sort of doubt in your mind, but the coaches have just been great in trusting this operation that we have,” McPherson said. “They trust us going out there and executing in any situation, no matter the distance.”

Oct 17, 2026; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Dejuan Lane (10) celebrates after recovering a fumble against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The story of 2026 for Tennessee football has been the play of the defense, which was coming off of a dreadful 2025 season. Josh Heupel knew it was time for a change, and ended up moving on from Tim Banks. His next hire? Well he knocked it out of the park.

Heupel turned to longtime defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who was available after James Franklin was let go at Penn State. Knowles had given Tennessee a firsthand look at his scheme just a season ago, shutting down the Tennessee offense in Columbus during the College Football Playoff.

Those that knew of Knowles warned of a learning period for his complex defense, but that’s turned out to not be the case. He brought a handful of coaches with him from Penn State, while also bringing in familiar players. One of those additions has been safety Dejuan Lane, who has emerged as one of the best safeties in the country through the first half of the season.

Lane has been a massive piece of the puzzle for Knowles, snagging three interceptions and putting up five tackles for loss. Tennessee has forced 13 turnovers so far this season, good for tenth in FBS. The Volunteers lead the nation in sacks with 30, averaging over four per game.

It’s a unit that can simply take over a game, just as we saw last week. To hear how Lane puts it, it’s a unit with an offensive mentality.

I asked Dejuan Lane whether the approach remains the same against every running quarterback, or if they tweak things a bit depending on the player.

Tennessee will face South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers this week. pic.twitter.com/wS7kVceM57

— Charles Mays (@MaysSports) October 20, 2026

“Teams have to stop us,” Lane said. “A lot of times really, I don’t really think we play defense, I think we play offense. By the way coach calls the game, how aggressively we play, you know, we tell teams where they’re going to run the ball, where they’re going to pass the ball, etc. So, yeah, that’s how I feel about that.”

Tennessee certainly dictated how Alabama played offensively last week. The Crimson Tide had season-low outputs across the board and were never able to find a rhythm, especially with Neyland Stadium rocking about as loud as we’ve ever heard it.

Jim Knowles’ defense now hits the road again, set to face another capable quarterback in LaNorris Sellers. The Gamecocks are coming off of a blowout win on the road against Florida, followed by a bye week to prepare. It will easily be the most hostile environment Tennessee has seen so far this season, and it will be interesting to see how the unit performs in a very obvious letdown spot.

Kickoff is set for Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

NEW YORK -- The Philadelphia 76ers had a tough time finding any type of rhythm with their 3-point looks on opening night. The Sixers were getting some good looks from beyond the arc, but they started 3-for-20 as they were unable to really find any groove.

However, the Sixers turned to Anfernee Simons in the third quarter and the offensive dynamo finally broke the seal for Philadelphia. He knocked down three triples in the third, including two big ones to kickstart a run to end the third, and he really made a big difference for the Sixers.

"Huge, huge, big shots by five," started Tyrese Maxey. "He did a good job. We’re looking for him when he gets in the game. We’re hunting for him. We want him to hunt his shot, and he did a good job with that tonight."

Then veteran Kentavious Caldwell-Pope knocked down two big 3s in the fourth. The two guards were real difference makers.

"They were huge because we obviously didn't shoot the ball particularly well from the outside tonight," added LeBron James. "Something we're obviously not worried about because we have some great shooters, and we will get it back on that, you know, soon. But I just like the way we played. We were sharing the ball. We got the ball moving from one side to another. Guys felt in a good rhythm, and you know, just like you said, you know, KCP was huge. Those shots by Ant was huge, too, obviously.

LeBron James on the big 3s by Simons and KCP: “We got the ball moving from one side to another. Guys felt in a good rhythm, and you know, just like you said, KCP was huge. The shots by Ant was huge, too, obviously.” #Sixerspic.twitter.com/ZZh2N1bc6j

— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) October 21, 2026

Caldwell-Pope and Simons are two players who have been there, done that in terms of success in this league. As Philadelphia moves forward, it will continue to lean on those two's offensive abilities, shooting prowess, and know-how. The Sixers will benefit from those two as they move forward.

Especially, Caldwell-Pope who has two championships (2020, 2023) under his belt.

"It’s just another guy that can hold guys accountable because they understand and they see that the guy has gotten to the finish line," James said of KCP. "And beyond the finish line. I went through the rope. So definitely it's very helpful and these guys that's been here are trying to build to get to that point."

Either way, the Sixers know they have to shoot the ball better than they did against the Knicks. Their defense was able to keep them in it until Simons and KCP were able to break through for them.

"We gotta shoot the ball well," said Jaylen Brown. "I think those are guys that can shoot. I think we made two threes in the first half, I want to say. Just a testament to our defense is that we were able to stay in the game. We're only making two threes. So we got stops, we just got to hit some shots."

They will now move forward as they prepare to face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday.

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Multiple Sixers give love to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Anfernee Simons

The NFL Draft class of 2027 was supposed to be a great one for quarterbacks. Arch Manning, Dante Moore, and Julian Sayin were all expected to be top picks.

Halfway through the college football season, all 3 have underperformed; two are currently injured, and the third is on the verge of being benched.

That leaves a vacuum in the QB Class of 2027, and one quarterback is going to fill it.

MORE:4 biggest risers in College Football after Week 7

CJ Carr should be considered QB1Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr scrambles with the ball during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Notre Dame’s CJ Carr should be considered the top QB in the 2027 draft class.

He’s not typically what you would picture in a top quarterback prospect. Remember the era when everyone wanted the big, strong, cannon-armed QB prospect? Guys built like Josh Rosen, Josh Allen, and Justin Herbert were all the rage, and they’ve all had varying degrees of success in the NFL.

CJ Carr is not that. CJ Carr is only about 6’2”, and 215 pounds. He doesn’t have a cannon of an arm, and he doesn’t put up gaudy statistics, since Notre Dame is very proficient in the run game. He’s also not a big-time runner at the position like a Kyler Murray or a Lamar Jackson. But what he does have is a set of skills that most quarterbacks will never be able to attain.

When you watch CJ Carr, he is a master of pre-snap adjustments at QB. He is always setting the protection, changing the play, and overall putting his offense in a position to succeed based on what he sees. When you combine that with his surgical accuracy, you get far more value from him than from any other QB with a big arm and athleticism.

His best NFL comps are Matt Ryan and Drew Brees (two pretty good ones), who mastered putting their offense in position to succeed with pre-snap adjustments and had the accuracy to capitalize on them. Every NFL coach thinks they can coach a quarterback to have this trait, but it’s not that easy. We see physically talented QBs flame out in the NFL all the time because they lack the mental capacity to make all the necessary pre-snap checks and reads.

MORE:4 biggest fallers in College Football after Week 7

BYU loss provides more evidence for CarrOct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Saturday’s loss to BYU is actually evidence in Carr’s favor as an NFL prospect. He did have two mistakes: he fumbled a spike attempt late in the first half, and he missed a wide-open Jordan Faison down the seam in the first quarter (probably the result of Carr’s pre-snap recognition, anyway).

But he was outstanding in Notre Dame’s ill-fated final drive. He stayed cool under pressure, eluded the rush, didn’t take sacks, and managed the clock with composure. As the drive slowed near the end, you saw all of Carr’s pre-snap checks and adjustments, which led to route concepts that produced open receivers. Overall, his decision-making and ball placement on this drive were outstanding.

Even on the game’s final play, he delivered a great ball to Jaden Greathouse in the perfect spot, if Greathouse hadn’t been interfered with. So, forget Arch Manning, forget Dante Moore, get used to the idea of CJ Carr being QB1 in the 2027 NFL Draft

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Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff

The Milwaukee Brewers are preparing for the World Series, and one big decision they need to make is whether or not to place Brandon Woodruff on the World Series roster.

Woodruff is the longest-tenured Brewer, but he has been dealing with a shoulder injury. He has missed most of the season, but looks good when he has pitched. Game 1 of the Fall Classic is on Friday, and Woodruff faced batters for the first time on Tuesday. Not only is he not built up, but if he gets hurt again, the Brewers may not be able to replace him on the roster.

The rules state that a player can only be replaced on a postseason roster if he suffers an acute, non-chronic injury or ailment. According to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy, the Brewers are still trying to figure out if Woodruff hurting his shoulder again would fit that criteria.

“Still working through our meetings," Brewers president of baseball operations and general manager said, per McCalvy.

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Woodruff sat between 90 and 92 mph with his fastball during a session when he faced Jackson Chourio, Brice Turang, Christian Yelich, William Contreras and Jake Bauers. He said his velocity was about where he expected it to be in an empty stadium.

He is confident he can help the team and perform if given the chance, but he understands that the team is trying to win, and if leaving him off the roster is the best move, then he is at peace with it.

“I know where I’m at. I’ve only faced live hitters once and the World Series starts in three days,” Woodruff told McCalvy.  “As far as a decision, I haven’t heard anything. I’m sure they are discussing it.”

Ultimately, it may be in the Brewers' best interest to take Woodruff. It hasn't hurt them yet, but much of the Brewers' roster is young and lacks postseason experience. Woodruff has been on this stage a ton and has even pitched in elimination games. As for who he replaces, he could easily take the spot of Kyle Harrison or Chad Patrick, neither of whom has pitched in the postseason yet.

Harrison looked like he would be key to getting the Brewers to the World Series early in the year, even pushing for an All-Star nod. However, a forearm injury derailed his season and he lost his spot in the rotation. He does not really have the trust of his manager right now, and as far as lefties go, the Brewers have shown that they would rather DL Hall, Aaron Ashby and JoJo Romero work more than give Harrison a shot.

The Brewers are going to throw a bullpen game in Game 4 of the World Series. Having Woodruff available for that could be huge, even if it's just for an inning. Additionally, it gives Pat Murphy another right-handed option in the middle innings besides Patrick or Antonio Senzatela. If Harrison is going to sit on the bench anyway, why not give Woodruff a shot if he can get outs like he did when he was healthy this year?

More MLB: One Player Who Needs To Step Up For Brewers In World Series

Auburn football returns to Jordan-Hare Stadium this weekend for another crucial SEC showdown, which means it is time for another edition of Behind Enemy Lines. Behind Enemy Lines is a weekly feature that highlights storylines and key stats from Auburn's opponent through the eyes of a writer who covers the team.

We reached out to Will Rosenblatt, the lead writer for LSU Wire, for the inside scoop on Auburn's Week 8 opponent, the LSU Tigers.

This week's conversation highlights LSU's most recent win, the vibe around Baton Rouge of first-year head coach Lane Kiffin, and the excitement surrounding the renewal of an old SEC West rivalry. Here is this week's Behind Enemy Lines with Will Rosenblatt of LSU Wire.

What were several things LSU did well in its bounce-back win over Mississippi State on Saturday?

WR: "LSU played its most complete SEC game of the year vs. Mississippi State. Sam Leavitt continued to improve and look comfortable in the pocket, and played his first game at LSU without throwing an interception. On defense, LSU got back to basics after a rough outing at Kentucky. The Tigers fit the run well and didn't miss tackles."

What is the vibe around Lane Kiffin seven games into his tenure?

WR:"For now, the vibe is good, not great. There are some fans who are uneasy about already having two losses, but the chaos around the sport in Week 7 has reminded some fans how hard it is to win games in this league, and the fan base is optimistic again."

How exciting is it for Auburn and LSU to renew their old SEC West rivalry this weekend?

WR:"The SEC schedule didn't look right without LSU and Auburn playing in 2024 and 2025. This was always one of the SEC's most entertaining games, at least since I've been watching football. Auburn's win at Georgia has definitely given the game some more juice."

Auburn plays its best when it slows down the opposition's run game. How would you rate LSU's run game?

WR:"LSU's run game is hit or miss. The offensive line is a work in progress, and LSU is averaging just 3.59 yards per carry in conference play. However, LSU has found ways to drum up ground game success with creativity when needed, getting the QB and slot receivers involved. LSU RB Dilin Jones also ranks third among SEC RBs in forced missed tackles."

How is Lane Kiffin viewing Auburn ahead of the matchup?

WR:"Kiffin pointed to Auburn's win over Georgia at his press conference. Auburn's upset of UGA was well timed for LSU -- it certainly won't be hard for Kiffin to get LSU up for this one now."

LSU beats Auburn if….

WR:"LSU beats Auburn if the defense doesn't overthink it and plays sound, fundamental run defense. I expect Alex Golesh to incorporate more pre-snap movement after seeing how much LSU has struggled with that element at times. Motion plus the QB run game can be a dangerous combo for an aggressive defense like LSU's, but if LSU can rally to the ball and get Byrum Brown on the ground, the Tigers will win this game (assuming LSU doesn't turn it over three times)."

Taylor Jones is the lead writer for Auburn Wire, part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) and BlueSky. Follow Auburn Wire on X and Facebook. 

This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Behind Enemy Lines: Auburn-LSU preview with Will Rosenblatt of LSU Wire

New England Patriots offensive lineman Walter Rouse will achieve a first in his career at on Thursday.

According to MassLive’s Mark Daniels, Rouse will get the start at left guard for the Patriots in their primetime matchup against the Chicago Bears, marking the first time that he will start in an NFL game in his career.

“It’s a great opportunity,” Rouse said. “The fact that they believed enough to want to bring me here means a lot. And now I’m starting for the team now, for prime time game, it’s surreal.”

Rouse has appeared in 12 games in his career. The opportunity comes as New England deals with injuries and uncertainty along its offensive line.

Alijah Vera-Tucker is currently dealing with a hamstring injury that he sustained in Week 6 against the New York Jets, and Ben Brown sustained a knee injury in that game. Mike Onwenu’s status is also a factor as the team prepares for Thursday’s contest, as he remains on injured reserve.

Rouse will be asked to maintain the interior against the Bears in a game that carries serious implications. He has allowed four pressures and a sack this season, but he has not allowed a quarterback hit this year. His ability to handle interior pass protection will be crucial against Chicago’s defensive front.

With a primetime spotlight and limited preparation time, Rouse faces an immediate test as New England looks to keep its offense on schedule in Week 7.

Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Patriots veteran OL reveals he will make first career start vs. Bears

Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Jordan Elliott was cut after he tried to get gun following Titans practice altercation appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Tennessee Titans finally found some success in Week 6. Tennessee got their first win of the season on Sunday, defeating Indianapolis in a 26-20 upset victory. Unfortunately, those happy feelings have been marred by a bizarre situation at the team facility on Tuesday.

The Titans released defensive tackle Jordan Elliott citing an incident at the team facility. Further reporting has revealed the shocking details that led to Elliott’s release.

Elliott reportedly got into an argument with teammate JC Latham after the pair got heated during a play at practice, per Austin Stanley and Easton Freeze of A to Z Sports.

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That interaction turned into an argument that carried over into the locker room following practice. Multiple sources saw Elliott storm out of the locker room and immediately head to the players’ parking garage. He intended to retrieve a firearm from his vehicle, presumably to confront Latham following their disagreement.

NFL insider Aaron Wilson reported that Titans defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers talked Elliott down and de-escalated the situation.

Elliott has apparently been dealing with problems away from the team. That seems to have played a significant role in Tuesday’s practice altercation.

“This was so crazy,” an NFL source told Wilson. “Jordan has been having a lot of problems away from the building and obviously he brought it to work with him. There was no reason for him to go off like that. Everyone thought that was wild. To overreact like that is absolutely crazy. We’re just glad that no one got hurt and it’s over.”

As for the Titans, they only released a brief statement after the incident to announce that Elliott was released.

“On Thursday, October 15th, there was an incident at our team facility involving Jordan Elliott. Following our review of the incident, we have made the decision to release Elliott from our roster. We will have no further comment on the matter.”

Hopefully Tennessee is able to rally together and move past this incident quickly. They have little time to waste before their next game.

Next up for the Titans is a home game against the Browns.

Related: Titans release player with 65 career NFL starts after mysterious ‘incident at team facility’

Related: Titans HC Robert Saleh gives cryptic response to benching $60 million offseason signing

The Jalen Hurts’ controversy is not going away anytime soon.

The Eagles allowed Hurts to play with a blood clot in their Week 5 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. Two weeks later, the Eagles shut Hurts down for the season after blood clots spread to both lungs.

The NFL defended the Eagles’ medical staff on Tuesday night during the league’s annual fall meeting. Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL’s chief medical officer, claimed the Eagles did nothing wrong. The NFL does not plan to punish the Eagles.

• RELATED: Early look at Cowboys vs. Eagles odds on Kalshi: Examining Monday Night Football markets

Late on Tuesday night, the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) responded to the NFL’s claims. The NFLPA announced an investigation.

“The NFLPA is not aware of any NFL investigation into the medical care provided to Jalen Hurts,” the NFLPA said in a statement. “In fact, the league previously informed the union that it did not plan to review the care he received. Before conclusions are drawn about how this situation was handled, there must be a full investigation into what occurred. Determining the facts is essential to ensuring players receive the highest level of care and protection going forward.”

MORE BY CAYDEN STEELE

Eagles could land a top-10 pick with Jalen Hurts done — and it could be a QB: 10 draft optionsOct. 21, 2026, 10:11 a.m.

Eagles playmaker lands on trade block, could be moved soonOct. 21, 2026, 10:09 a.m.

The Athletic reported on Tuesday that the NFL concluded Hurts’ situation “was handled appropriately.”

The NFL and NFLPA appear to be butting heads about the Hurts’ situation.

If the NFLPA finds any wrongdoing from the NFL or the Eagles, there could be big repercussions.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Since joining the SEC in 2012, the Texas A&M Aggies have given the Alabama Crimson Tide troubles on a number of different occasions, especially in recent matchups.

Dating back to that 2012 season, Alabama and Texas A&M have met 12 times head-to-head, a span that features a 10-2 edge for the Crimson Tide. Those two wins for Texas A&M came in the first SEC meeting back in 2012, as well as in 2021, the former of which was in Tuscaloosa.

When taking a deeper look at that 12-game span, the last three times that these two teams have met, the eventual winner has been decided by one possession. Texas A&M won in 2021 on a game-winning field goal, 41-38, with the Crimson Tide taking back games in 2022 and 2023 by final scores of 24-20 and 26-20, respectively.

This latest showdown will feature a pair of teams who badly need wins, as Alabama (5-2 overall, 3-2 SEC) has lost back-to-back games, while Texas A&M (4-3, 1-3) has dropped three of their last four conference games with only 12 total points scored over their two road matchups this season.

Here are five Aggies to know in particular ahead of Saturday's SEC showdown in Tuscaloosa, a group headlined by a former Alabama transfer.

Isaiah Horton, Wide Receiver

Transferring from Alabama this past offseason, Horton is the Aggies leading receiver across seven games where he has 20 receptions for a team-high 280 yards and three touchdowns. Horton, a graduate student who led Alabama in receiving touchdowns a year ago, will be facing Alabama for the first time.

Mario Craver, Wide Receiver

A junior wideout, Craver leads Texas A&M with a team-high 24 receptions for 241 yards and two touchdowns, while also serving as the Aggies' primary punt returner where he is averaging 4.5 yards per return. Craver will be facing Alabama for the first time.

Ray Coney, Linebacker

Coney is currently leading the Texas A&M defense with 37 total tackles, while also having posted 2.5 TFL, one pass defense, and one forced fumble so far this season. A senior who transferred from Tulsa during the offseason, Coney also will be facing Alabama for the first time.

David Olano, Kicker

The Aggies have one of the nation's top kickers in Olano, a fifth-year senior who is a perfect 11-for-11 on field goal attempts this season, as well as 24-for-24 on extra points. Facing the Crimson Tide for the first time, Olano's 11 made field goals currently lead the SEC.

Marcel Reed, Quarterback

A multi-year starter for the Aggies at quarterback, Reed is currently completing 55.7% of passes for 1,227 yards and a 7:6 TD:INT ratio, while also having rushed for 175 yards and two touchdowns on 54 attempts. The senior has yet to face Alabama in his collegiate career.

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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Former Alabama transfer among Aggies to know vs. Texas A&M in Week 8

Down 16 points entering the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Pittsburgh Steelers offense was struggling for answers. With the game slipping away, veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers took matters into his own hands, literally.

On teammate Cameron Heyward’s podcast, “Not Just Football with Cam Heyward,” rookie wide receiver Germie Bernard revealed that Rodgers seized control of the play-calling duties during the final frame, delivering a calm, commanding message to the huddle before mounting a 16-point fourth-quarter comeback and an eventual overtime victory.

"Aaron was like, he was like, 'Listen, guys,'" Bernard recalled. "'I'm going to take a little bit of control. I'm going to start calling, you know what I'm saying, some of the plays we need and we just need to execute. That's it. Just execute and we'll get the job done.'"

Bernard noted that Rodgers' composed demeanor instantly stabilized an offense that had struggled through the first three quarters. Rather than panicking under the pressure of a double-digit deficit, the four-time MVP's poise allowed the unit to execute without hesitation.

"Being out there with him, he's so like just poised and resilient," Bernard explained. "It just makes you, you know, it makes you not rush or it makes you just play the game, like how you're supposed to. It makes you like have fun with it. There's never no stress when you're out there with him cuz he doesn't have any stress."

The operational shift paid immediate dividends as Pittsburgh erased the 16-point margin, ultimately capping the rally with an overtime touchdown pass from Rodgers to Bernard.

While head coaches and offensive coordinators design game plans throughout the week, Rodgers' in-game takeover demonstrated the profound impact of elite quarterback autonomy in high-stakes moments.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Aaron Rodgers took control of Steelers play-calling in 4th quarter

Ohio State football quarterback Julian Sayin is out "indefinitely," and the team is planning for the possibility of going into the postseason without him, coach Ryan Day said at an Oct. 20 media availability.

Dispatch sports reporters Brianna Mac Kay and Joey Kaufman will chat about the latest developments with columnist Rob Oller live on the Dispatch YouTube channel the morning of Oct. 21. You can watch the video podcast in the player above or on our YouTube page.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: What's next for Ohio State after Sayin's injury? Our Ohio State experts discuss

Kolo Muani opens up about Juventus ‘tension’ and playing with Woltemade

Juventus striker Randal Kolo Muani admits ‘tension’ inside the dressing room after a 3-0 loss against Lazio, although players ‘talked about it the right way’, and he confirms he’s ‘comfortable’ playing alongside Nick Woltemade.

Juventus host Rennes in the Europa League Round 3 on Thursday after winning the previous two games in the competition.

TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Randal Kolo Muani of Juventus reacts during the Serie A match between Juventus and Atalanta BC at Allianz Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

The Bianconeri’s Serie A results are very different, as the Serie A giants sit 8th in the domestic league with 11 points in seven matches.

This past Sunday, they suffered a 3-0 home loss to Lazio, which sparked an exchange in the dressing room.

The dressing room meeting also followed Gleison Bremer’s strong criticism of his teammates.

Juventus vs. Rennes: Kolo Muani’s press conference

TURIN, ITALY – OCTOBER 18: Kolo Muani of Juventus in action against Nuno Tavares of SS Lazio during the Serie A match between Juventus and SS Lazio at Allianz Stadium on October 18, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

“The captain spoke after the match. There was some tension, but we discussed it constructively in the dressing room,” Kolo Muani said at a press conference on Wednesday (via Sky Sport).

“It’s up to us to show what we can do on the pitch. We talked about it the right way, like a family working through problems.

“I don’t think we lack character. We’re a good, united group that wants to keep working hard,” the French striker continued.

“There are many new players, including me, who need to settle in. That’s what we are doing.”

REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Nick Woltemade of Juventus during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and Juventus at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on September 13, 2026 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)

Juventus coach Spalletti has confirmed that Kolo Muani will start alongside Woltemade against Rennes tomorrow.

“In football, it’s important that the coach trusts you. The coach gives me valuable advice to keep going beyond my limits,” Kolo Muani said.

“I’m very comfortable playing with any teammate. In training, we work on what the coach asks us to do, but we know it’s then up to us to put it into practice, and we also have the freedom to take responsibility.”

TURIN, ITALY – AUGUST 29: Randal Kolo Muani of Juventus is challenged by Mariano Troilo of Parma during the Serie A match between Juventus and Parma Calcio at Allianz Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Kolo Muani has played for PSG and Nantes in Ligue 1, so is it special for him to face another French club in the Europa League tomorrow?

“Calling it special might be an exaggeration, but it’s certainly a different kind of match,” he noted.

“Rennes will come here looking to win. We won our first two matches, and we’ll try to win the third as well. Of course, I hope that performing well here will also help me return to the national team.